A Guide to Looking After a Friesian Cow

Basics

Friesian is a dairy cow breed originating from the Netherlands. There are several variants of this breed, with some having horns and others being polled. The Friesian was originally bred as a working cow, but began to be used as a dairy breed around the 18th century. There are a total of six sub-breeds of Friesian including the Albert, Baudouin, Delius, Florentine, and Ladysmith. The Albert and Baudouin sub-breeds are the most common. Friesian cows are known for their large size, high milk production, and long lactation length. The average lifespan of a Friesian cow is around 10 years, though this can vary depending on the sub-breed.

Feeding a Friesian Cow

When feeding a Friesian cow, it is important to consider the breed’s high milk production and the corresponding feed requirements. Feeding a Friesian cow is a multi-step process that should be done in a timely manner to meet the animal’s energy and nutritional requirements. The following is a quick guide to feeding a Friesian cow.

- A Starter Feed: Friesian cows are known to have a slow development rate, especially during their early growth period. This can be attributed to the breed’s large size and high milk production. During the starter period, it is important to feed the cow more fiber and less energy to ensure proper development. A starter feed is an inexpensive feed that has a low energy and protein content.

- Transition to Grower Feed: As the Friesian cow grows and approaches the end of the starter period, it is time to transition to a grower feed. This feed has a higher energy and protein content than the starter feed but is still low in fiber. The transition period should last until the cow is roughly 9 months old, though this may vary depending on the individual cow.

- Feed for a Lactating Cow: Once the Friesian cow is fully lactating and meeting her feed requirements, it is time to switch to a maintenance feed. This feed is meant to provide the cow with the proper feed balance that she needs to maintain her health.

- Feed for Dry Cows: Friesian cows that are drying off (not producing milk) should be transitioned to a dry cow feed. This feed is designed to meet the cow’s nutritional requirements while also preventing milk fever. Milk fever occurs when a cow is transitioning to dry off before dropping enough milk production.

- Feed for Transitioning to Breeding: During the first two months of the breeding season, it is important to feed the Friesian cow a transition feed. This feed is high in protein and fiber and is designed to help the cow gain more weight before breeding season. After the first two months of her breeding season, the cow should be transitioned to a breeding feed. This feed has a lower protein content and is designed to promote growth during the breeding season.

Housing a Friesian Cow

When housing a Friesian cow, it is important to have a large and spacious area that promotes comfort and health. Friesian cows are known to be very large, so it is important to have a sturdy, well-made structure that can support a heavy cow. The following is a quick guide to housing a Friesian cow.

- Select a Proper Location: It is important to select a proper location for the Friesian cow. This location should be away from homes and other structures, but close enough to be easily accessed. The area should also have proper fencing to keep the cow contained.

- Choose an Appropriate Structure: It is important to use a sturdy and well-made structure when housing a Friesian cow. This structure should be able to support the weight of a mature cow and should have a spacious interior.

- Provide Adequate Space: It is important to provide the Friesian cow with enough space. This can include a grazing area, shelter, and a feeding area. The amount of space needed will depend on the sub-breed and the number of cows being kept.

Grooming Requirements for Friesians

As discussed above, Friesian cows are very large white animals. This makes them prone to getting dirt and grime on their long and furry bodies. This can result in the accumulation of odours and diseases, so it is important to groom the cow regularly. The following is a quick guide to grooming a Friesian cow.

- Regularly Brush the Cow: It is important to regularly brush the Friesian cow to remove any loose dirt, grime, and debris that collects on the animal’s fur. During the breeding season, it is important to brush the cow more often to remove any odours that may develop.

- Trim the Cow’s Hooves: Friesian cows walk on very large hooves that grow quickly during the breeding season. It is important to regularly trim the cow’s hooves to avoid injury and infection from excessive growth.

- Clean the Cow’s Teeth: It is important to regularly clean the Friesian cow’s teeth to prevent tooth decay. This can be done by using a dental tool or by feeding the cow certain foods.

- Check the Cow’s Health: It is important to regularly check the health of the Friesian cow. This can be done by regularly performing a visual check and by brushing the cow’s fur.

Conclusion

Friesian cows are a large and imposing breed of cow known for their long white fur. While they are large animals, they are very friendly and will often seek out human attention. Friesian cows are very easy to care for and are great for beginners! Friesians are known for their large size and high milk production, requiring an appropriate amount of feed and housing space. Friesian cows thrive in temperate climates and can be bred at any time during the year.